Anitia Renee Law, a 15-year-old African American girl, tragically lost her life on June 23, 2012, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The incident occurred during a domestic dispute at the home of her 20-year-old sister, Shermetryce Grasty. Anitia was visiting her sister when the altercation took place. The suspect, 24-year-old Marine Corps Corporal Pernell Jones, was Grasty's estranged boyfriend.
During the argument, Jones allegedly stabbed Anitia in the abdomen and shot her in the chest with a shotgun. Anitia was rushed to Onslow Memorial Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Following the incident, Jones attempted to flee the scene in his car but crashed into a ditch shortly after. He was apprehended by authorities and charged with first-degree murder. Jones, who was stationed at Camp Lejeune, faced his first court appearance on June 25, 2012. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but it is believed to be related to marital issues between Jones and his wife. Anitia's family, originally from Danville, Virginia, was devastated by the loss. Her cousin, Tanesha Tuft, expressed the family's grief, stating that Anitia had dreams of joining the Air Force and had recently completed her sophomore year of high school.
The case garnered significant attention due to the involvement of a Marine and the brutal nature of the crime. Jones was held without bond in the Onslow County jail as the investigation continued. The community mourned the loss of a young girl with a bright future, and Anitia's mother, Carilla Law, planned to bury her daughter in her ROTC uniform, honoring her aspirations to serve her country. The tragic event left a lasting impact on the family and the community, highlighting the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
